Seriously, I'm not the best blogger in the world.

So next week rings in the month of May. The last blog I had on here was in January. I'm so great at keeping you all updated on my life in Puerto Rico! Ugh... I do apologize but I figure I talk to a lot of you on Facebook, text, email, etc. So maybe that has kept you all updated enough. I hope.

Now that my apology (to some degree) is out of the way, can I please update you on my life here in Puerto Rico?

Of course, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my students! I feel like I have been falling in love with them more and more. We have been having such a fantastic year, and I have watched them grow into reading, writing, Jesus loving, recycling, fun loving crazy kids! The crazy part was added because there is less than a month of school yet, so they've gotten into their crazy mode. It won't go away, so I need to embrace it and be crazy with them I suppose. Yesterday as a class we realized that I only had 20 days left of being their teacher, and we had a sad moment together :( I am just aching for summer to get here so I can go home, but truth be told when it gets to the end of my time with them, I will be very sad. Anyone who has known me as I had to depart from a group of kids that I've worked with will know how devastated I feel when it is time to say good-bye to my students. Oh, I just love them SO much!!! Here's a photo of them so you can see and love them too!

What else is exciting here besides my kindergartners? Just about everything!!! I've had the best weekend and week, but with the high school kids. Last weekend we held a retreat for the 7th-11th graders. The theme of the retreat was along the lines of Mission Impossible, but of course, the mission is possible. The retreat was phenomenal!!!!! All of the kids and staff just enjoyed every bit of it, from the worship, to the games, to our amazing speaker RoRo Eustache from Haitian Christian Outreach. He shared so many stories and the faith of him and his people with our kids this past weekend. Many of you many know him or have heard him speak, and you know how much of a blessing it is to hear him. He is a man that Christ shines through in volumes. If I can say one thing about the retreat, it is this: God was there! God was at work, and there is absolutely no doubt in that!!!!

We also had a group from Louisville, KY come for the retreat to help us out, and again, there was God doing His work. This group was composed of some of the most down-to-earth and godly people you could meet. They really connected with all of us here in Puerto Rico, and even though we only knew them for a few days, we all felt a little heartache when they left. The good news is they are close to where I live at home, and now I'm very excited about visiting with them this summer. We all really appreciated and cherished their time with us. Why don't I show you a photo of them also? I'll put a photo of RoRo there too.

Thanks everyone who has been praying and sending encouragements. I cannot wait to get home and see you all shortly!!!!

Here and Now

It has been well over a month since I have updated my blog. Here is an update: God is good. God is so good and He gives me well over the limit of what I actually deserve.

Since I blogged last, I was able to fly home to Cincinnati for three wonderful weeks. I tell you what, I do love living here in Puerto Rico, but there is NO place like home. Home was what I needed. My family, my friends. Odd how a bit of my decision to move to Puerto Rico almost felt like an escape, and then to return again was also a similar feeling. Perhaps leaving is what I needed to realize how much I actually do love and appreciate home. In my Life Plan, I will return to live, teach, and minister in Cincinnati. It feels right, but I never know what God has in store. Who does? (p.s. If you've figured it out, pass it on) However, I am the type of person who, let's be honest, over analyzes basically everything, and once I know what I am doing right now, I can't stop obsessing over the next step.

I didn't make any resolutions for the new year, but perhaps it should be to stop obsessing over the future and focus on the "here and now." So I am. And what is the "here and now?" Well, it's 22 students that I have promised to love and educate. It's a church that I have promised to serve in. It's a group of people here who have decided to love and support me just because they can. I'd say that God has indeed blessed me beyond what I deserve right now.